6 October 2015
Climate Action Conference Focuses on Local Governments Driving Transformation
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During the International Conference on Climate Action (ICCA2015), which convened under the theme 'Local Governments Driving Transformation,' participants highlighted the leading role of sub-national actors in fighting climate change and formulated messages to convey to negotiators at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Paris, France, from 28 November-11 December 2015.

icca20152 October 2015: During the International Conference on Climate Action (ICCA2015), which convened under the theme ‘Local Governments Driving Transformation,’ participants highlighted the leading role of sub-national actors in fighting climate change and formulated messages to convey to negotiators at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Paris, France, from 28 November-11 December 2015.

The meeting, which convened in Hanover, Germany, from 1-2 October 2015, brought together more than 400 participants. It took place immediately after the UN Sustainable Development Summit, where the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted, and in the lead-up to COP 21, where a new universal climate agreement is expected to be agreed. Thus, ICCA2015 aimed to bridge the divide between sub-national governments and decision making at the intergovernmental level.

During the two-day event, multiple activities took place, including: a panel on climate diplomacy; a ‘Climate Neighbourhoods’ exhibit, which enabled participants to explore projects from municipalities, schools, networks and research institutions, including a youth theater production and discussions with students; a panel on local climate action; an award ceremony honoring the 2015 recipients of the German Climate Action Award for Local Government; a high-level panel on local action for solutions; and 18 facilitated workshops grouped under six different clusters (agents of change; governance; finance; infrastructure; ecosystems; and networks and groups).

The conference concluded with the ‘Hanover Declaration: Local Action Driving Transformation,’ which captured conference outcomes and whose message will be delivered to participants at COP 21.

The Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Protection of Lower Saxony and Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) hosted ICCA2015 in order to highlight local sustainable development and climate initiatives and elevate the voices of local governments in the process of developing the post-2020 global climate regime.

ICCA2015 was hosted by BMUB, the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Protection of Lower Saxony, and the German Institute of Urban Affairs. [ICCA2015 Website] [IISD RS Coverage of ICCA2015] [Hanover Declaration: Local Action Driving Transformation]


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